SFI Guides and Tutorials

Welcome Shawols! This tutorial thread has been made to help you navigate around our forum with ease. Read through this thread for general inquiries regarding SFI. If your answer cannot be found here, PM one of our staff members and we will be more than happy to answer any questions you might have.

Firstly, please ensure that you have read the Rules of SFI, as well as the individual section-specific rules before posting in any section. Section rules are linked at the end of each description. After reading the rules, get started by introducing yourself in the Introduction section! You may also like to visit the shoutbox (sbox) located at the bottom of the forum to interact directly with fellow Shawols.

Announcements: Read this before you enter the rest of the forum. Rules and important information will be located here.

Projects: This section includes all future, current, and past projects. Birthday donation threads, gift idea threads, and message threads exist here, brought to life by members and staff in a collaborative effort.

Introductions: Are you new? If so, this is the first place you'll want to visit. Introduce yourself here and get to know Shawols who come from all over the world! (Rules)

Global Community: The members of SHINee aren’t called global idols for nothing. Shawols come from every corner of the Earth! Here you can find others from your country or become friends with someone on the other side of the world. Note: This is the only section where languages other than English are allowed. (Rules)

Discussions: A place where Shawols can talk about topics unrelated to SHINee. (Rules)

Games: Play games with other Shawols. This is the only section that does not require the ten word post requirement, but posts here do not add to your total post count. (Rules)

Requests: Want a custom graphic? Request it here and have a fellow Shawol make it for you! (Rules)

Tutorials: Learn from the amazingly talented with these art tutorials. (Rules)

Fan Fictions: Unleash your imagination and share your writing with fellow SFI members. This section allows you to interact with other authors and explore a world where all things are possible. (Rules)

Short Stories: Perfect for finding one last story to read before sleeping, this section holds stories that are short and sweet. Includes drabbles, one-shots, and poetry. (Rules)

Completed Fics:All finished masterpieces can be found here. In this section, you won’t have to wait at all for that cliff-hanger to be resolved! (Rules)

Fanaccounts: Recounts of spectacular concerts/events and encounters with SHINee, told by Shawols themselves. If you've had a chance to see the boys, you can make your own thread and share your fanaccounts here. (Rules)

How do I start a new topic?To start a new topic, refer to the sub-forum summary above. Your topic should fit the section accordingly (example, post all discussions about Onew in the "Onew" section). Please remember to read the rules for each section and label your topic correctly.

What if my topic is in the wrong forum?Please notify a moderator to move the topic for you.

Starting a New TopicStep 1 - Click on theStart New Topic button located at the top and bottom right of the forum page.

For your Topic Title, type in this format: {CORRECT TAG} Topic Title. All topics must be tagged correctly!

Make sure the body of the text is always ten words or more.

When editing, make note of the toggle editing tool. When the tool is switched on, you have to insert BBCode yourself. Only do this if you are familiar and comfortable with using BBCode. If not, switch it off so you can view your post in rich text mode.

DO NOT switch back and forth between toggle on and off in one post, this may mess up your text. In some cases, you may have to completely start over.

Step 3 - After you're done with your topic title and body, you can click Preview Post to make sure everything is to your satisfaction. If you're happy with the post, click on Post New Topic.

Replying to a TopicStep 1 - Go to the topic you want to reply to by clicking on the topic titles in each forum.

Step 2 - Scroll all the way to the bottom of the topic where there is a Quick Reply Box.

Step 3 - You can either use this Quick Reply Box OR you can click on More Reply Options to open up the standard replying page, which offers a few added posting features.

Step 4 - Fill out your reply and click Post or Add Reply.

Did You Know?When posting in the Art Gallery, you should keep all your works in one continuous post so your artwork can grow into a gallery. Post new artwork as a reply instead of starting a new post. Do not start a new thread every time you have a new masterpiece to exhibit.

This same thing applies to ongoing fan fictions in the Fan Fictions section. You want to post new chapters as a reply to keep the chapters from the same story in one continuous thread. In both types of threads, you should provide links to all your artwork/chapters in the first post by making a Table of Contents list. Here is how to link your topics and use multiquote to reply to commentators.

What's the use of linking specific threads?Linking specific threads can come in handy in many situations. If you need moderators of a forum to edit/delete/move your post, providing a link can help them work faster. Also, if you want to link someone to a specific post instead of the whole thread, this will help them find the post.

What is multiquote?Multiquote helps you reply to several posts at the same time. It will keep all of your replies in one post for the sake of convenience. For example, those who want to thank everyone who left comments on the thread. Instead of replying individually to each post, you can use the "multiquote" function to create a bulk reply.

Linking ThreadsStep 1 - On the post with your update, click on the number that follows the hash symbol. This should bring up a box with a link inside. Copy this link.

Step 3 - To add a hyperlink, type out the text you want. Highlight the text and click on the paper clip icon. Paste the link you previously copied into the empty box and click 'OK'. This will link the text so that when clicked, it will take the person to the specific post.

Using MultiquoteStep 1. Click Multiquote for all the posts you want to reply to. The button should turn green once you have clicked on it. Another button should appear at the bottom right as you begin multiquoting. The button should say Reply to __ Quotes. Click this button once you are done.

Step 2. After you have clicked the reply button, the posting box should appear with all the quoted text. Every [/ quote] tag marks the end of a quote. Hit enter after the tag to type your respective replies. Click Save Changes once you are done.

Before you start, please familiarize yourself with the Rules of SFI. Remember that violators of the avatar and banner rules will be warned. Follow the instructions below for a successful journey to beautifying your account here at SFI!

What is the difference: avatar, banner, signature?

Refer to this link for a breakdown of the difference and some further details about signatures. It will tell you all you need to know to customize your profile and signatures without breaking the rules.

Editing Your 'About Me'Step 1 - Click on your username, located at the very top right of SFI.

Step 2 - Click on My Settings. This should automatically take you to the Profile Settings tab. Scroll down until you see Profile Information.

Step 3 -Click the Edit My About Me Page button. Input whatever you want in the body of the pop up box. Once you are done, click Finish and Save.

Editing Your AvatarStep 1 - Click on My Settings. This should automatically take you to the Profile Settings tab. Click on the Profile Settings tab located on the left side of the screen.

Step 3 - Make sure you click on the Use a Custom Photo option. Enter the URL under Import Photo from URL, then click Import. If your avatar is 100x100, it will fit the screen perfectly. Once you are done, click the button that says Done.

Editing Your SignatureStep 1 - Click on My Settings. This should automatically take you to the Signature tab.

Step 2 - Set up your signature in the space provided. Click the Image button to start. Input the direct link to your image in the space provided. You may align your banners however you wish: center, left, or right. Always credit the person who made the banner/avatar. Once you're done, click Save Changes.

Line CountFor most of you, the maximum number of lines is 5. This includes both text and pictures as well as spacing. Even if a line is blank, it still counts toward the line count. Meaning, if you were to post:

This would exceed your maximum number of lines. However, you can put multiple things on one line and still count it as one like this:

Line 1: "So my goal is to be someone I'm not ashamed to be."Line 2: An avatar and a banner of KeyLine 3: creditLine 4: [Enter]Line 5: two blinkies

Sometimes when you hit the Enter key, an extra space is added in between both of your lines. In order to have your lines directly below each other, hold the Shift key, then press the Enter key at the same time.

Not sure how large your picture is?Right click on your picture (banner) and click on Inspect Element. When you do, you should see a toolbar at the bottom of your screen. When you hover over the highlighted area, it should tell you the dimensions of the picture you are trying to use. If that doesn't work, you can also click the highlighted area, and it should give you all the information you need about the particular image.

Image BreakdownAvatars, banners, and blinkies all qualify as images. Let’s say you are of the Super Shawol member group, and it tells you that you can have 3 avatars, 2 banners, and 3 blinkies. Whatever combination you choose may not cross a total of five images.

AvatarsAvatars are similar in size to your display picture, the only difference is that it’s in your signature. (In fact, the size is actually the same, you could even copy that picture and put it in your signature if you like.)

BannersWhat’s the difference between a banner and an avatar? A banner is fatter. Yup, that’s it. Generally, they’re rectangular and prettier looking. Can they be (.gif) images? Yes they can, but the dimension rules still apply.

Speaking of dimension rules, the first number is the width of the image, and the second number is the height of the image. Your image cannot cross either of those restrictions. Meaning, let’s say your image restrictions are 300x100 (may vary from member to member), but your image is 200x150. Your image defies the second restriction, so it would not be allowed.

This image is 100x300. Is it allowed? No, because it crosses the height restriction, and every time you make a post, your signature box will be huge. It hurts my feelings when all the pictures are tall and skinny.

Step 1 - You may get this icon if you either copy/pasted your image, or if your image URL is missing a letter somewhere. When you go to add a picture, you need to click on the little tree icon located on the tool bar.

Step 2 - When you click on it, it will ask you to insert the image URL. To get the image URL, just right click on the image that you want to add, and click Copy Image URL. Paste that URL into the URL box.

Step 3 - Once you’ve done that, your image should show up properly.

Did You Know?Now, you are probably done with your lovely signature. SFI also has many talented people who create avatars, banners, and blinkies who often take requests or post tutorials in the art gallery. If you decide to use one of their graphics, make sure you credit them as well. Create away, Shawols!

What is hotlinking?Hotlinking, in the simplest terms, is to use a direct link to an image off of another site.

Why is hotlinking an issue?If enough people hotlink, there is a chance that the photo could exceed its bandwidth and turn into a broken link. Also, when the original photo expires eventually, the photo you've posted using that link will also expire.

Step 2 -You need to have an account on a image hosting site. All of the ones listed below (and more) are accepted. If you don't have an account on any of these sites, you will need to make one. I would suggest Photobucket or Imgur since they are the most widely used. Imgur has a limited number of images you're allowed to upload on free accounts, so Photobucket may be the best option. In this tutorial I will be using Photobucket to demonstrate; it should be relatively similar for most sites.

Step 5 - On the right of the image you should find image links. Click on the box next to Direct link.The word Copied should flash in the box. (This step holds true only for Photobucket.) If the site isn'tPhotobucket you just need to find the direct link. In imgur, this can be done byclicking on the image.

Step 8 - Congratulations, you have now successfully inserted an image without hotlinking.

Did You Know?When you are quoting a post that contains an image, you are essentially hotlinking.What you should do when quoting in this situation is, toggle the editing mode in order to view BBcode,then delete the img tags.

Delete these codes: [img] & [/img]

To switch toToggle Editing mode, click on the grey square icon on the top row of tool bar, furthest to the left.This will revert the image to a link instead.

BBCodesWhat is BBCode?BBCode an is essential tool on forums. It is very simple once you learn the codes. It is a code system that can be used to format your posts in many different ways. While BBCode is permitted on the forum, please do not use it in the shoutbox.

The following is an example of a code:

[b]This code creates bold text.[/b]

All codes start with two brackets and the required word or letter to make the code work properly. It generally ends with a slash after the first bracket, followed by the required word or letter again, and then closed with a bracket. This might sound confusing at first, but it gets easier with practice.

How do I use this?To start, you have to turn on the toggle tool. Below is a list of codes you can use and what they do. Please note that the tool bar has all of these codes that can be automatically inserted with the push of a button.

Basic Text Formatting Codes

[b]This code creates bold text[/b]

This code creates bold text

[i]This code creates italicized text[/i]

This code creates italicized text

[u]This code creates underlined text[/u]

This code creates underlined text

[s]This code creates strikeout text[/s]

This code creates strikeout text

[right]This text is right aligned.[/right]

This text is right aligned.

[left]This text is left aligned.[/left]

This text is left aligned

[center]This text is center aligned.[/center]

This text is center aligned.

[indent=1]This text is indented.[/indent]

This text is indented.

When indenting text, if you increase the number after the equal sign, the text will be further indented.

[indent=2]This text is indented even more.[/indent]

This text is indented even more.

All of these codes can be used to format your posts. Example:I love SHINee SO much! They are my life and have all my love. Replay is my favorite song. But I really like Lucifer too.

Basic Text ColorsThere are multiple ways to edit your text color. You can either use named colors or hexadecimal codes (also known as hex codes). It's incredibly easy to find a lists of color names and hex codes online.

Key is the [color=yellow]yellow[/color] power ranger.
Jonghyun is the [color=#FF0000]red[/color] power ranger.

Key is the yellow power ranger.Jonghyun is the red power ranger.

Background Colors:

[background=lightgreen]Minho is the green ranger.[/background]

Minho is the green power ranger.

Advanced FormattingQuoting:

[quote]Is this the reality you want?-Jonghyun[/quote]

Is this the reality you want?-Jonghyun

Horizontal Rule:Creates a horizontal line running across your post.

[hr]

Inserting Images:

[img]http://i43.tinypic.com/33c3wnt.png[/img]

Inserting Media:Want to share a video from YouTube? You can make it appear in your thread if you know the BBCode.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DocBfPIgk70[/media]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DocBfPIgk70

Lists:

[list][*]Unordered list[/list]
[list=1][*]Ordered list[/list]

Unordered list

Ordered list

Spoiler:Spoiler codes are used for any content that could be considered a spoiler if someone accidentally read it (like for a movie, drama, tv show, book). It can also be useful for hiding images (especially large ones).

What's 'Find Content' used for?This is a quick and easy way to find all of your previous topics and posts.

What's the search function used for?Use the search function to find specific topics throughout the forums. You can use this before starting a new post to ensure that your topic hasn't been made before, and to avoid making duplicate threads about the same topic.

Finding ContentStep 1 - Click on the Find Content button on your profile (directly under the Edit my Profile button). You can also click on your name located in the top right corner of the forum and select My Content. You will see a list of threads you have posted in and topics you have started.

Step 2 - Click Only Posts to view your posts. (You can also click Only Topics to view your topics.) Look through the list of posts and find the one you need to edit.

Step 3 - Once you find the post, click on the link in the top right corner of the post. You should see a series of numbers. This will take you to your post..Step 4 - Click Edit and fix your post. You can click Use Full Editor for more editing options. After you're done click Save Changes.

Using the Search FunctionStep 1 - You can find the search bar at the top of SFI on the right hand corner. Click on the grey rectangle in the search bar for other options to navigate the search section. When you are in a particular forum, the option in the grey rectangle is automatically set to find threads in that particular forum.

Step 2 - Click on the white space and replace the word Search... with the keywords of your search. If your search was successful, it should show up like this.

Step 3 - If you get redirected to this page, you need to type your keywords in again with more than four letters to meet the search requirements. This advanced search page gives you more specific search options. You can also click on the flower to the right of the green search bar button to automatically get to the advanced search page.

Step 4 - Fill in as much detail as you can or know in the sections asked. These sections are optional. Here is an example.

Step 5 - Select the forum that you want to search in. This is important as you can narrow down the number of threads that come up and make your search more accurate.Once your search is put through, the page should turn up like this.

What is a personal message (PM)? A direct message to our staff members or any members of SFI.

Sending Personal MessagesStep 1 - Click on the icon that looks like an envelope. This will take you directly to your inbox. Unread PMs will be bolded. To compose a new message, simply click Compose New.

Step 2 - Under Recipient's Name, enter one username of your choice.

To send a mass PM, you can enter other usernames under Other Recipients.
Remember to separate each username by using commas.

Invitation: The group can see your PM (mass chat).
If you send a PM to 25 members, they'll all be under the same "conversation" and be able to see every messages that is sent afterwards like a mass chat.

Copy: A separate PM will be sent to each person.
If you send a PM to 25 members, you'll have 25 separate conversations between you and each person you send it to.

Step 4 - Under Message Topic, state the reason for the PM.

For example, if you need to PM a staff member with a forum related question, you will type something like, “Forum Question: Log-in.”

Type your message in the body like you would if you were leaving a reply in the forum.
If you are messaging staff about a particular problem, please be as specific as possible. This will help us assist you more efficiently.

Step 5 - If you’d like to receive a copy of your personal messages in your email inbox, simply go to My Settings.